Hoyer Statement on Reports President Trump Asked Intelligence Agencies to Deny Collusion with Russia

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in response to reports that President Trump asked the Director of National Intelligence and the Director of the National Security Agency to publicly deny his campaign colluded with Russia: 

"If President Trump indeed asked the Director of National Intelligence and the Director of the National Security Agency to deny collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, it would be a flagrant and astonishing abuse of power. For him to do so raises serious questions about why he would make such a request. I hope investigators who meet with Director Coats and Admiral Rogers probe further what President Trump asked them to do. 

"These reports paint a picture of a President who is willing to take any steps to save his own skin, even if it skirts the law.  I once again call on my Republican counterparts to put country over party and take necessary steps to investigate fully the President’s actions, including by joining in the authorization of an independent, bipartisan commission."